A Nobel prize winning poet, diplomat and member of the Chilean senate – Pablo Neruda is a national hero in his native Chile. He produced a large body of work before his death in 1973, just twelve days after the murder of his great friend President Salvador Allende in the bloody military coup that brought General Augusto Pinochet to power. Known as the people’s poet he is recognised for being able to use simple language to express man’s most intense feelings. Just as naturally, he composed poems on the beauty of everyday objects.
James Paton and Jose Garcia reflect on his influence on Chilean society and how “El Capitan” has touched their lives.
